Education

Australian STEM education lags behind US, UK and Kazakhstan

A recent release of results from the four-yearly Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study has left many speechless and many with a lot to say about the state of STEM education in Australia.

New phonics test pointless: a waste of precious money buying it from England

Group Of Children Reading Books In Classroom

In the May budget, the federal government allocated money to buy England’s phonic screening test for six-year-olds in Year 1.

Victoria to raise the ATAR bar for teachers

All Victorian teachers will be among the top 30 percent in the state, according to announced changes to tertiary admissions, ensuring that teacher education and training in Victoria will be overhauled, and outcomes improved.

How to teach literacy so no child is left behind

Children who do not learn to read in the first few years of schooling are typically destined to a school career of educational failure, because reading underpins almost all subsequent learning.

Scholarship and accelerated learning program testing

Handled well, scholarships are a win-win situation. Schools enhance their diversity and talent base and market key aspects of their school’s offering, while some families who are unable to afford private school fees enjoy a quality education.

Teachers learn from kids at flipped conference

Olympic diver Anabelle Smith and Professor Dr Klaudia Schultheis from Catholic University of Eichstaett-Ingolstadt in Germany will share a platform with school children at this year’s Kids Conference on Tuesday 29 November at Australian Catholic University (ACU) in Melbourne.

School News Term 4 issue out now

I wondered if the wisdom, innovation and insight within our inaugural issue could be matched, but the fascinating minds of education industry stakeholders seem replete with fresh ideas and stories to share. A Perth school dubbed the ‘greenest school in Australia’ addresses cross curriculum priorities through sustainable social practice - stretching the fingers of their ‘social handprint’ to provide safe solar lighting for women in developing countries. In this terms 'Principal Speaks', Marilyn Smith of Preshil School renovates an assessment of a community depleted by a leader lost, to reveal a school with vision, collective spirit and the courage to innovate for the present. We tune into the tertiary sector on teacher training, and visionary approaches that push the boundaries of the very definition of ‘learning space’. As mental health concerns grow for young people, so do systems of support and programs that protect vulnerable young people from the media’s undermining effect on body image. Teenage suicide, extra counselling for families going through exams, anxiety, depression; just a necessary part of growing up, or a touch of insanity? We hear from Beautiful Failures author, Lucy Clark, about pressure, parent-teacher relations and the pitfalls of “the quest for success”. Amid the maelstrom of teenage angst, a teacher can be a beacon, a mentor and a friend. With some excitement, we publish our first winning student composition, celebrating an inspirational teacher. We thank our sponsors for $500 worth of precious books for the winner’s school library (see page 22 for details). We address school property and administration concerns with practical insights into managing communication and curriculum planning, cost-effective, energy efficient lighting, digital signage and storage solutions, safer flooring and more. Enjoy the passions and achievements of your colleagues, and profit from the collective knowledge within these pages, and until next time - noli cedere cognoscere (don’t stop learning).

The latest issue features the Coolbinia Primary, the ‘greenest school in Australia’; and insight into the collective Courage of Preshil School, visionary approaches to innovative learning spaces, mental health solutions and much more.

Remote housing review tipped to improve school attendance

School bus stop warning road sign Australian rural outback

Minister for Indigenous affairs Nigel Scullion expects an independent Indigenous-led review into remote housing to improve school attendance.

Language matters in science and mathematics – here’s why

Do sociologists, mathematicians, scientists and lawyers use language to be elitist and exclusive? Or is the language necessary to describe the specifics of their field? And what role does school play in initiating students into the language of these different disciplines?

2017 curriculum changes include ethics, creative thinking and supporting diversity

students will be assessed on skills such as problem solving

From January 2017, as well as learning areas like English, maths and science, students will receive instruction in new subjects called “capabilities”.